Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Residential Solar and Wind Energy Questions

Ford Prefect · 07-26-2009, 05:41 PM

i was reading an article in yesterday's Herald that predicted electrical prices could triple in the not too distant future. That got me thinking ... maybe it's time to explore solar and wind energy generation for my home.

A quick browse through a couple websites for Calgary based alternate energy companies suggests that wind may not be practical for residential generation due to tower requirements and such. My house is ideally situated to collect solar energy anyway, so wind generation would only be a secondary generation source at best. While wind generation doesn't sound promising, solar does.

What I'm interested in is primarily electrical generation, although I've already discovered a home heating method that links solar with fans rather than having to retrofit an in-floor hot water heating system should I wish to to look at heating in addition to electrical generation.

I would love to hear from anyone in CP who has any knowledge and experience on residential solar and wind electrical generation, home heating, etc. How viable is it? The pricing I've seen ranges from about $6,000 to 22,000 for a solar retrofit. What would it cost to go off grid as far as electricity goes? $10K? More?

If anyone can share some wisdom on this so I know a little bit more before calling one of these companies I'd love to hear it.
Also, is installing alternate energy generation devices eligible for that Federal enviro grant for home renos?

07-26-2009, 05:41 PM	#1
Ford Prefect Has Towel, Will Travel Join Date: Jul 2006 Exp:	Residential Solar and Wind Energy Questions i was reading an article in yesterday's Herald that predicted electrical prices could triple in the not too distant future. That got me thinking ... maybe it's time to explore solar and wind energy generation for my home. A quick browse through a couple websites for Calgary based alternate energy companies suggests that wind may not be practical for residential generation due to tower requirements and such. My house is ideally situated to collect solar energy anyway, so wind generation would only be a secondary generation source at best. While wind generation doesn't sound promising, solar does. What I'm interested in is primarily electrical generation, although I've already discovered a home heating method that links solar with fans rather than having to retrofit an in-floor hot water heating system should I wish to to look at heating in addition to electrical generation. I would love to hear from anyone in CP who has any knowledge and experience on residential solar and wind electrical generation, home heating, etc. How viable is it? The pricing I've seen ranges from about $6,000 to 22,000 for a solar retrofit. What would it cost to go off grid as far as electricity goes? $10K? More? If anyone can share some wisdom on this so I know a little bit more before calling one of these companies I'd love to hear it. Also, is installing alternate energy generation devices eligible for that Federal enviro grant for home renos? Last edited by Ford Prefect; 07-26-2009 at 05:44 PM.